Big Break legend Jim Davidson has weighed in on the BBC’s decision to bring back the popular snooker-based game show, questioning the new hosts and taking aim at the broadcaster
Jim Davidson has slammed the BBC following its announcement of Big Break’s revamped comeback.
Davidson claimed the broadcaster “doesn’t know how to make a TV programme”. Big Break debuted in 1991 on BBC One, with Davidson hosting alongside late snooker legend John Virgo, who sadly passed away aged 79 in February. The gameshow paired members of the public with professional players. Contestants would answer questions, enabling the pros to pot balls and win them money.
It quickly became one of the most-watched shows on British television, attracting 13.9 million viewers at its peak. The beloved programme ran for 10 series and over 200 episodes until 2002. But now it’s coming back with a new line-up confirmed.
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The BBC has now decided to revive the hit for daytime TV, with comedian and actor Paddy McGuinness and snooker legend Stephen Hendry set to front it. Davidson has now delivered his rather scathing assessment, reports the Mirror.
“It’s gonna be a tough act to follow,” he said on his YouTube channel. “It was a great, great programme on the Saturday nights and maybe in the week as well. We were pulling in thousands and thousands and thousands. We used to film four a day and it was hard work. It was. It’s not an easy show to do, trust me on that.
“Plus, the BBC doesn’t really know how to make TV programmes, so there you go. Deal with that. Paddy McGuinness, I don’t know him so I can’t comment, but I don’t know what he does?
“Is he a comic? Like Vernon Kay, just reads the autocue or what? I don’t know. It needs someone who is a little bit more than an autocue reader. Stephen Hendry I admire and I like.
“He’s a nice guy. I like him a lot. Whether he is John Virgo… John Virgo was brought in because he was funny. He was the snooker player’s comedian. That’s why it worked.
“I have the ability to ad lib and live and bounce on my feet and John and I developed this chemistry. I hope that this Paddy McGuinness and Stephen Hendry try and pull something together.
“It’s a big act to follow, lads but I wish you luck. Don’t look back at what we did and carry on and do what you want to do. Whether the public will take to you, that’s up to you guys.
“I wish I were doing it. Not for the BBC because I can’t bear them. But Paddy and Stephen, I and John up there somewhere in the great gambling den in the sky, we wish you luck.”
The BBC has confirmed that Big Break will make a comeback towards the end of 2026 on daytime television, airing on BBC Two and iPlayer. This new version will “stay true to the spirit of the original show,” while introducing a refreshed approach.
Production is set to commence soon and co-host Hendry said: “Big Break was a unique mix of trick shots and great entertainment and I can’t wait to be back at the table and bringing this incredible show to a whole new audience and who knows, we might inspire the next generation of snooker players to get into the sport.”